FBI takes down ‘Most Wanted’ fraudster who swindled $500M from Medicare
Khalid Satary, a mastermind behind a sophisticated $500 million Medicare fraud scheme, was recently captured in the Middle East. Satary, who used bogus genetic testing and doctor bribes, was on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list. The FBI emphasizes its commitment to investigating and prosecuting such fraudsters.
NEWYou can now listen to articles!
The Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to target of foreign nationals accused of defrauding the U.S. government, as the FBI and other federal agencies pursue suspects operating from overseas.
Last week, the FBI released a “Most Wanted” list highlighting alleged fraud suspects as the administration continues its broader crackdown on fraud. Officials say the involvement of foreign nationals in multiple schemes has heightened concerns about overseas actors exploiting U.S. government programs.
Among those named is Onur Simsek, a Turkish national whom the FBI believes is living in Turkey. Prosecutors accuse Simsek of leading a defense procurement fraud scheme that secured U.S. military contracts by falsely certifying Turkish-made parts as tested and qualified, potentially rendering critical military equipment inoperable.
Federal prosecutors allege Onur Simsek led a procurement fraud operation that infiltrated the U.S. defense supply chain, prompting the FBI to offer a $150,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. (Andrew Leyden/Getty Images / FBI)
FBI LAUNCHES ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST AS DOJ CHARGES OHIO DEFENDANTS IN $30M MEDICAID SCHEME FOR KIDS
Federal authorities allege Simsek is one of a number foreign nationals who have infiltrated and exploited U.S. federal funds to obtain taxpayer funds.
In a statement, General Services Administration Administrator Ed Forst pointed to Simsek’s alleged conduct while discussing the administration’s efforts to combat fraud.
“Simsek’s alleged procurement fraud deprived taxpayers of value, denied honest businesses fair opportunity, and diverted critical resources from American warfighters,” Forst said. “Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, GSA will continue working relentlessly to identify and hold accountable those who try to cheat the federal marketplace and steal from the American people.”
The FBI’s new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list is intended to help law enforcement locate and apprehend fugitives accused of large-scale fraud schemes. (FBI)
The General Services Administration Office of Inspector General has assisted in the investigation, according to the agency.
WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE MAP TRACKING BILLIONS IN SUSPECTED FRAUD
Foreign nationals have become a focus of the administration’s broader fraud investigations, including scrutiny of an alleged Medicaid and child care fraud scheme involving members of Minnesota’s Somali community that sparked clashes between federal agents and protesters earlier this year.
In an interview with Digital last month, Vice President JD Vance said authorities have observed what he described as a “clear pattern” in some fraud cases involving immigrant communities.
“You definitely see patterns in certain communities,” Vance said. “It’ll start as maybe one Somali person takes advantage of the system, or realizes you don’t even have to have children to get money from these programs. You could just claim that you have children, there’s no verification. Then, word spreads like wildfire, and that program gets tapped into by the same members of that community.”
US Vice President JD Vance (C) speaks during a congressional roundtable on anti-fraud initiatives in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2026. (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
EXCLUSIVE: FBI ADDS ALLEGED COVID FRAUDSTER ACCUSED OF TAKING $5M FROM KIDS’ MEAL PROGRAM TO MOST WANTED LIST
According to the Justice Department, Simsek and his co-conspirators used a U.S.-based front company between April 2019 and February 2022 to obtain contracts to supply parts for Navy submarines, Marine Corps armored vehicles, Army M-60 tanks and other military equipment. Prosecutors allege the parts were manufactured in Turkey, then repackaged to conceal their country of origin before being sold to the U.S. government.
The “War Dogs” -style scheme was also allegedly in collaboration with Yuksel Senbol, who was sentenced to prison for conspiracy to defraud in 2024. An arrest warrant for Simsek was ordered in Tampa, Florida in October 2023.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Simsek’s arrest and conviction.
WHITE HOUSE EXPOSES ‘TRANSSHIPMENT SCAM’ COSTING US UP TO $26B, POINTS FINGER AT CHINA
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference announcing annual healthcare fraud takedown results at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC on June 23, 2026. (Ken Cedeno/AFP via Getty Images)
In late July, the FBI arrested Khalid Ahmed Satary, who FBI Director Kash Patel said participated in a conspiracy that fraudulently billed Medicare more than $547 million for medically unnecessary genetic tests between 2016 and 2019.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
“The arrest of Khalid Ahmed Satary and return to the U.S. is the third Most Wanted Fraudster capture from this FBI and our partners in just five weeks — continuing the historic run of success for this new initiative,” Patel told Digital.
